According to AAA, Georgia’s average gas price has dipped this week, providing much-needed relief to drivers. As of Monday, the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia stands at $2.92 per gallon, a decrease of 1 cent from the previous week, 5 cents from a month ago, and 6 cents compared to this time last year.
Georgians have been getting health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on healthcare. gov, but they are now transitioning to a new state-based exchange called Georgia Access starting from November 1.
Floyd County Commissioner Scotty Hancock was recognized by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) for completing the Public Safety specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. The achievement certificates were presented during the 2024 ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference at the Classic Center in Athens-Clarke County. The academy, a collaborative effort between ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia, offers tailored training and educational tools for county officials to excel in specific areas of expertise. Commissioner Hancock expressed gratitude for the valuable training provided by ACCG and highlighted the importance of staying current and educated in County government. The Lifelong Learning Academy aims to equip county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.
A domestic disturbance led to the arrest of a woman for providing false identification after law enforcement responded to a call late Thursday night. At approximately 11:24 PM on October 24, officers were dispatched to 340 Allen Street, where they encountered three females engaged in a heated argument.
The Georgia secretary of state’s office thwarted a cyberattack on its absentee voting website, which saw over 420,000 attempts from around the world. The attack, detected on Oct. 14, aimed to crash the site but was quickly mitigated by security experts. Gabriel Sterling praised the cybersecurity team for their success in defending Georgia voters and systems. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI were involved in the aftermath of the incident. Alongside this cybersecurity challenge, Georgia voters have been setting records for early voting in the presidential election, with 310,000 ballots cast on the first day, more than double the figures from 2020. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger anticipated record turnout this year, noting that nearly 1. 4 million voters had already cast their ballots early or through absentee voting. Despite the cyberattack, the office is focused on ensuring the integrity and security of the voting process for the upcoming election.
Grant Minton’s wish to become a state trooper for a day was granted by the Georgia Department of Public Safety. He received his own Georgia State Patrol uniform and spent the day with troopers, law enforcement, and emergency management staff in Floyd County. Activities included a felony stop simulation, a helicopter ride, and a scripted car chase. Minton was also given an honorary trooper award and visited the state capitol, including the governor’s office. The department expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make Grant’s wish come true, noting his energy and enthusiasm. Georgia State Troopers thanked their partners and Grant for reminding them of the true meaning of service.
Yesterday, October 28th, marked the fifteenth day of Early Voting for the upcoming Presidential Election on November 5th, and Georgia is witnessing unprecedented turnout. As of Monday, the state has surpassed a remarkable 2.9 million early votes, accounting for over 40% of all active voters across Georgia. In Chattooga County, early voter participation is also on the rise.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, October 28, 2024:
A thirty-nine-year-old Summerville man was arrested last week after he was accused of coming inside a store on Second Avenue in Summerville and pulling his pants down. The store clerk locked herself in the bathroom until police arrived. When police got to the scene, the man was standing outside the store in the parking lot. Police verified the store clerk’s account of the event from surveillance cameras. Arlonzo Johnson was arrested and taken to the Chattooga County Jail on charges of public indecency.
Registration is now open for the 2024 Toys For Tots program in Floyd County, Polk County, and Chattooga counties, which provides toys to children in need. Last year, the program distributed toys to almost 1,500 families, totaling over 13,000 toys for more than 3,500 children. This year, the program coordinator, Linda Hatcher, anticipates serving up to 4,000 children due to increasing demand.
